IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE ACCIDENTLY CHANGED THIS TEMPLATE, PLEASE LET ERIK or BRIAN KNOW ASAP.


PLEASE __*COPY* AND PASTE__ THIS ENTIRE TEXT ***IN HTML*** INTO A ___NEW POSTING___ AND THEN EDIT.

============== START BELOW THIS LINE======================

Community name written in all Caps then a space and a -.
Example: NORTH HOLLYWOOD -
(To find the community name, place the incident address into maps.yahoo.com, then zoom out 3 times and look for the community name. Each neighboring community is differentiated in a slightly different color.)

After writing the community name in one or two sentences provide the reader all they need to know regarding the topic. The basic information.

Describe in chronological order the events of the incident in short paragraphs. What firefighters saw and did.

Remember to include the date, address, how long it took to knockdown and by how many firefighters, the cause, estimated $loss, and dispatched units.

Tips: Don't use two words if one will do. Spell the number out if it is one digit and use the numbers if it is two digits or more. Example: Three. 55.

Submitted by Katherine Main, Spokesperson Los Angeles Fire Department Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman Los Angeles Fire Department Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman Los Angeles Fire Department

An early morning inferno destroyed a large apartment building under construction and severely damaged two nearby high-rise buildings. 
The Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned at 1:20 AM on December 8th, 2014 to 906 North Fremont Avenue in downtown Los Angeles, where firefighters arrived quickly to find heavy fire showing from a 200' x 900' seven story building under construction. Two stories were concrete while the remaining 5 floors were exposed lumber.
The massive blaze could be seen from all over the city and 50 foot flames lengths caused the closure of all North bound lanes of the 110 Freeway.
250 Firefighters under the command of Deputy Chief Joseph Castro battled the fire defensively utilizing large hose streams from the ground and aerial ladders from above. The intensity of the flames quickly ignited several floors of a 16 story adjacent high-rise. Although Firefighters battled intensely, 221 North Figueroa was heavily damaged. Another building located at 313 North Figueroa threatened by fire was saved by the hard work of Firefighters.
The bulk of the fire was knocked down  in just over 90 minutes. Firefighters managed flair-up and worked with LAFD bulldozers for nearly 24 hours to fully extinguish the deep seeded smoldering lumber.
In the wake of this Major Emergency structure fire, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section requested the assistance of the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) National Response Team (NRT) to aid in the cause investigation.
Due to the extensive damage and the significant monetary losses, the LAFD asked the ATF to activate the NRT. As a result, approximately 20 ATF agents and specialists will arrive in Los Angeles to join LAFD Arson investigators and local ATF special agents at the scene.
The investigation will begin when all Agencies and Investigators are present, it is anticipated this will be Wednesday December 10, 2014. 

As you know, winter storms are moving across the Southern California area starting late Monday night, bringing significant rainfall, gusty winds and thunderstorms to Los Angeles through Wednesday.

Moderate to heavy rain is predicted to spread quickly into Los Angeles by early Tuesday morning. Rainfall amounts with this storm could be very impressive. There is potential for 1.0-2.0" for coastal and valley areas and 2.0-5.0" in the foothills and mountains.

As usual, an area of special concern with the storm will be the possibility of flash flooding with mud and debris flows around any recent burn areas.

Firefighters are preparing and so should you!

All LAFD Company Officers are ensuring that their assigned Swift-Water Rescue equipment is being carried on the apparatus as well as rain gear and High Visibility Vests for safety. Firefighters are also surveying their Water Rescue Sites and reviewing River Rescue Operations with their crews. We are monitoring our sand and sandbag inventories. Each neighborhood fire station is ensuring they have a minimum of 500 sandbags and will give up to 25 bags per residence.

The LAFD is even augmenting it's staffing for Tuesday, December 2, 2014 as follows:
Two Swift Water Teams will be deployed at their designated stations (SW44) and (SW88).
Four Ready Reserve Engines (435, 469, 473 and 474) will be staffed, and Battalion Chief Aids will be added in the following Battalions: 2, 9, 14, 15 and 17.

Your Los Angeles Firefighters ask, Are you prepared?